A Comprehensive Review of Hybrid Solar–Wind Power Generation Systems for Remote Electrification

Access to reliable and affordable electricity in remote, rural, and off-grid regions remains a critical global challenge, particularly in the pursuit of sustainable development goals and the transition toward low-carbon energy systems. Conventional fossil-fuel-based power generation in these areas is often constrained by high fuel costs, logistical difficulties, and significant environmental impacts. In this context, renewable energy technologies especially solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy have emerged as viable alternatives due to their abundance, scalability, and environmental benefits. However, the inherent intermittency and variability of individual renewable sources can limit their reliability when deployed independently. Hybrid solar–wind energy systems address these limitations by integrating complementary generation profiles, energy storage solutions, and intelligent power management strategies to ensure continuous and stable electricity supply.This review provides a comprehensive examination of the technological foundations and system architectures of hybrid solar–wind ecosystems, including component selection, system sizing, control strategies, and energy storage integration. In addition, it explores optimization techniques used to enhance system performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness under varying climatic and load conditions. Economic aspects such as lifecycle cost analysis, techno-economic feasibility, and investment considerations are critically discussed, alongside real-world implementation challenges related to infrastructure, maintenance, policy frameworks, and social acceptance. By synthesizing findings from high-impact and recent literature, this study presents a comparative analysis of existing research and practical deployments, highlighting current advancements, limitations, and research gaps. Finally, the paper outlines key directions for future research and large-scale deployment, emphasizing the role of hybrid solar–wind systems in enabling resilient, sustainable, and environmentally responsible energy access for underserved communities.